Screed



W. F. MENGEL SCREED Filed July 5l, 1962 Sept. 7, 19465 Mai, www s; t n?,

NQ AUTH United States Patent O 3,204,533 SCREED William F. Mengel, F. F. Mengel Company, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. Files any si, 1962, ser. No. 213,743 Claims. (Cl. 94-45) This invention relates to strike-off screeds and, more particularly, to an arrangement for adjusting the crown of a strike-off screed.

An object of this invention is to provide a strike-off screed including a compact, entirely self contained and relatively simplied crown adjusting mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a crown adjusting arrangement which is conveniently accessible for ready and facile adjustment.

A further object of this invention is to provide a strikeoff screed which is adjustable for crown and is particularly well suited for use in combination with a guillotine strike-off.

For the achievement of these and other objects this invention contemplates the provision of a strike-off screed comprising rst and second sections positioned end to end and with their adjacent ends located generally at the center of the screed. The adjacent ends of the sections are joined by a hinge connection and means is provided for raising and lower the central portion of the screed to achieve a desired crown. The crown adjusting mechanism includes a generally elongated rigid member connected at one end, a xed end, to the rst section and extending so that its other end, a movable end, is positioned adjacent and movable relative to the second section. A control member is mounted for movement on the screed, preferably arranged for access from one end of the screed, and its movement is transmitted through a lever mechanism, which is pivotally mounted on the second section, to raise and lower the movable end of the elongated member. Such an arrangement is compact and of simple construction and, furthermore, lends itself to use in combination with a guillotine screed. Preferably, where the guillotine is used, it is positioned forwardly of the screed and is supported for vertical movement relative to the screed sections. A plurality of guillotine actuating mechanisms are spaced along the screed and connected to a common power source for joint movement to raise and lower the guillotine as desired.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in, or be apparent from the speciiication and claims, as will obvious modiiications of the single embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan View;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation;

FIG. 3 is a section view along line 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a section view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section view along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an end View; and

FIG. 7 is a view of the central portion of the strikeolf screed illustrating the screed sections moved to provide a crown adjustment.

With particular reference to the drawings, an elongated strike-off screed 18 comprises two separate sections 12 and 14 arranged end to end, section 12 including relatively spaced channel members 16 and 18 and section 14 similarly including relatively spaced channel members 2l) and 22. The lower side of screed 10 is covered by a continuous elongated plate 24 attached to sections 12 and 14 and extending between the opposed ends of screed 10. The upper portion of the screed can also be enclosed by a plate, or plates, as desired; however, for convenience it has been eliminated from the drawings so as to better show the interior of the screed.

Patented Sept. 7, 1965 Adjacent ends of sections 12 and 14 are connected by hinge connection 26 which includes a pin 28 extending transversely of screed 10 and plates connected to each of the screed section. With reference to FIG. 4, plates 30 and 32 are welded welded to the web of channel members 20 and 22 and plates 34 and 36 are welded to spacers 38 and 40 which are in turn welded to the webs of channels 16 and 18. Accordingly, plates 34 and 36 are arranged to partially overlap plates 30 and 32 with the plates including registering apertures for receipt of pin 28. Preferably sections 12 and 14 are also provided with apertures which register with those in the plates to facilitate assembly of hinge 26 and keeper plates 42 and 44 are provided to hold the pin in its assembled position. Hinge 26 interconnects sections 12 and 14 for joint movement and for also relative pivotal movement to permit plate 24 to be raised and lowered to adjust the screed for crown. It will be appreciated that the lit between pin 28 and the plates can be relatively loose so that relative pivotal movement of sections 12 and 14 will occur about the lowermost ends thereof; however, if desired the lower adjacent corners of the channel members 16 and 18 and 20 and 22 can be notched out to provide wedge shaped openings providing clearance for pivotal movement.

The means for controlling the crown adjustment includes an elongated rigid T-shaped member 48 disposed generally in the central portion of screed 10. One end of member 4S is welded to a plate 50 extending transversely of section 12, and, in order to more securely connect member 48 to section 12, two additional plates 52 and 54 are welded between the member and section 12. Member 48 extends transversely of the hinge connection 26 and has its free end disposed for relative movement with respect to section 14. A control member in the form of an adjusting rod 56 has a threaded end 58 secured to a bracket 60 by nuts 62 and 64. Rod 56 extends inwardly of screed 10 and is connected to a lever mechanism 66 which is pivotally supported from section 14. More specifically lever mechanism 66 comprises pin 68 extending transversely of channels 2t) and 22 and pivotally supported from the web of each channel. A first link 70 is connected between pin 68 and rod 56 and a second pin 72 is also connected to pin 68. A pair of pins 74, 74 connect link 72 to the free end of member 48. In this manner rod 56 is mounted for adjustable longitudinal movement relative to screed 10 and this longitudinal movement is transmitted through lever mechanism 66 to member 48. More specifically, longitudinal movement of rod 56 to the right rotates link 7() and pin 68 clockwise, pin '72 also rotates clockwise to raise end 49 of member 48. Upward movement of end 49 raises member 48 and correspondingly section 12. Upward movement of section 12 is transmitted through hinge connection 26 to section 14 so that section 14 is also raised. Simultaneously with this vertical movement of the central portion of screed 10, sections 12 and 14 pivot relative to each other about the hinge connection (see FIG. 7) to raise plate 24 so that the plate is bowed. The amount of bowing can be adjusted by controlling the amount of movement of rod 56 to establish any desired crown. 1t will be noted that lever mechanism 66 is substantially a bell crank lever arrangement supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and in a generally vertical plane to exert, through member 48, a vertical force on section 12 to raise and lower the control portion of the strike-cfrr screed in achieving a desired crown.

Sled structures and 82 are carried at the opposed ends of screed 10 and comprise runners 84 and 86 engaging suitable form rails 88 and 90. The connection of runners 84 and 86 to the screed structure is identical for both sled structures 8f) and 82 and, therefore, only one will be described. With reference to FIG. 6, runner 86 includes a plate 92 connected to section 14 by bolts 94 extending through elongated slots 95 in plate 92. .Also runner 86 includes brackets 96 and 98 which are connected through bolts i) and 102 to upper plate 104 supported on the upper side of channels 2t) and 22. Bolts 100 and 102 are rotatably mounted in hubs 106 and each engages a threaded hub 108 connected to the under side of plate 104. In this manner rotation of bolts 100 and 102 will raise or lower runner 85 with respect to screed 10 as desired to adjust the vertical position of the entire screed relative to the forms.

Barrier plates 110 and 112 are also connected at the opposed ends of screed 10 and extend forwardly or in the direction of travel of the screed. These members are positioned adjacent the inner sides of forms S8 and 9) and prevent spillage of concrete, or whatever other paving material is being used, over the forms. The screed can be attached to a concrete spreader (not shown), or other suitable vehicle, by bars 114 and 116 extending from the screed for connection to the spreader.

The screed of this invention is completely self-contained, compact, and relatively simple in construction and as such is particularly well suited for use in combination with a guillotine strike-off. Guillotine strike-ofi is positioned forwardly of the screed and is held in engagement with channels 18 and 22 of screed 10 by vertical angle irons 120 spaced longitudinally along screed 10 and connected to angle irons 124 extending transversely of and spaced longitudinally along the screed. In this manner guillotine screed 118 is held against horizontal movement but is capable of vertical movement relative thereto.

It will be noted that the guillotine strike-ofi comprises two elongated members 126 and 123 interconnected by a third member 130 so that clearance is provided for keeper plate 44.

Guillotine 11S can be adjusted vertically independently of screed 10 so that concrete can be struck-ofi to different depths. More particularly, in many types of highway paving concrete is poured in a first course, a wire mesh laid on the first course and a finish course is poured over the wire mesh. The guillotine 118 can be used to strikeofi the first course and then raised to allow the screed to strike-off the finish course with a particular crown.

More particularly, four brackets 132 are connected to the front face of guillotine 118. The-se brackets are connected by links 134 to pins 136 extending across the top of screed 10. These pins are rotatably supported in spaced apart brackets 133 mounted on the upper portion of the channel members making up sections 12 and 14. A connecting rod 140 is positioned below the upper flange of the channels and is connected to each pin 136 by a link 142. A hydraulic cylinder 144 is carried within screed 10 and is connected by link 148 to pin 136. ln a manner well known in the art, cylinder 144 is connected to and controlled from the control station of the spreader, neither the spreader nor the connection are shown. Accordingly, actuation of cylinder 144 rotates pin 136 on the extreme right end of the screed. This movement is transmitted to each of the pins 136 by connecting rod 140 so that motion is imparted to each of the straps 132 to rai-se or lower the guillotine as desired.

The compactness and completely self-contained feature of the screed is maintained with this arrangement of the guillotine and its actuating mechanism.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A screed comprising, in combination,

first and second horizontally disposed and vertically displaceable elongated sections arranged end-to-end to form an elongated strike-o member,

hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of said first and second sections for joint movement and for relative movement therebetween,

an elongated rigid member fixedly connected to said first section and extending longitudinally of said strike-off member across the juncture of said first and second sections and terminating adjacent to and free from said second section so that said elongated rigid member is movable with said first section and with respect to said second section,

and means connectedd to said elongated rigid member and supported on said second section for movement with and for selective movement with respect to said second section to raise and lower the portion of said elongated rigid member adjacent said second section and correspondingly vertically displace and vary the angular relationship between said first and second sections to adjust the crown of said strike-off member.

2. A screed comprising, in combination,

first and second horizontally disposed and vertically displaceable elongated sections arranged end-to-end to form an elongated strike-off member,

hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of said first and second sections for joint movement and for relative movement therebetween,

a rigid member fixedly connected to and movable with Isaid first section and free from and movable with respect to said second section,

first means supported on said second section for movement with said second section and for movement with respect to said rst and second sections in a generally vertical plane, said first means connected to said rigid member and operative to move said rigid member vertically with respect to said second section to raise and lower said hinge means and correspondingly adjust the crown of said strike-off member by varying the angular relationship between said first and second sections,

and control means supported -on said strike-off member and connected to said rst means for moving said first means with respect to said first and second sections.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said control means includes a portion adjacent one of the outer opposite ends of said strike-ofi member and extending inwardly of said one end and connected to said first means.

d. The combination of claim 2 including an elongated, generally planar guillotine strike-off member extending substantially parallel to said strike-off member formed by said first and second sections,

a plurality of adjustable support means relatively spaced longitudinally along said first and second sections and supporting said guillotine strike-ofi member from and for vertical movement with respect to said first and second sections,

operating means supported on said strike-off member for operating said support means to move said guillotine strike-off member vertically,

and means connecting said operating means to each of said support means for moving said support means simultaneously to raise and lower said guillotine strike-off member with respect to said first and second sections.

5. A screed comprising, in combination,

first and second horizontally disposed and vertically displaceable elongated sections arranged end-to-end to form an elongated strike-off member,

hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of each of said sections and connecting said first and second sections for joint movement and for relative movement therebetween,

a generally elongated rigid member extending longitudinally of said strike-off member and fixed to said first section and free from and movable with respect to said second section,

lever means connected to said second section at a horizontally extending pivot for movement with said second section and for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis with respect to said first and second sections, said lever means connected to said rigid member and operative to exert a vertical force on said rigid member to raise and lower said adjacent ends of said first and second sections and vary the angular relationship therebetween in response to pivotal movement of said lever mean-s,

and control means supported on said elongated strikeoff member and connected to and operative to pivot said lever means about said pivot.

6. A screed comprising, in combination,

an elongated strike-olf member comprising first and second horizontally disposed and vertically displaceable elongated sections arranged end-to-end,

hinge means connecting the adjacent ends of said first and second sections for joint movement and for movement with respect to each other,

an elongated rigid member extending longitudinally of said strike-oli member and arranged at and extending across said hinge means between said first and second sections, one end of said elongated rigid member fixed to `said first section and the opposite end thereof disposed adjacent to and free for movement with respect to said second section,

lever means pivotally supported on said second section at a horizontally disposed axis for movement with said secondY section and for pivotal movement about said axis with respect to said first and second sections, said lever means connected to said opposite end of said elongated rigid member and operative to raise and lower said opposite end of said elongated member in response to pivotal movement of said lever means about said axis,

and control means supported on said strike-off member and connected to said lever means for pivoting said lever means about said axis.

7. The screed of claim 6 wherein said lever means is generally in the form of a bell crank lever pivoted on said second section with one arm of said bell crank lever connected to said opposite end of said elongated rigid member and the other arm connected to said control means.

8. The screed of claim 7 wherein said control means for selectively pivoting said lever means comprises an elongated rod extending longitudinally of said elongated strike-off member with one end connected to said other arm of said bell crank lever, and including means adjacent one of 4the outer opposite ends of said elongated strike-off member supporting the opposite end of said rod for longitudinal movement relative to said strike-0E member so that said rod is accessible from one end of said strike-ofic member and movement thereof longitudinally of said strike-off member pivots said lever means.

9. The combination of claim 8 including an elongated, generally planar guillotine strike-off member extending substantially parallel to the strikeoff member including said first and second sections,

a plurality of adjustable support means relatively spaced longitudinally along said first and second sections and supporting said guillotine strike-off member from and for vertical movement relative to said first and second sections,

and operating means supported on said strike-off member and connected to said support means for simultaneously operating said support means to raise and lower said guillotine strike-off member.

10. The combination of claim 6 wherein said first section includes horizontally spaced vertically disposed channel-like members and said second section includes horizontally spaced vertically disposed channel-like members aligned with the channel-like members of said first section and forming therewith a generally rectangular in transverse cross section strike-off member, said elongated rigid member arranged within the channel-like members of said first and second sections,

and a normally planar plate member extending between and fixedly attached to the lowermost side of said rectangular in cross section strike-off member and extending generally coextensively with the strike-off member formed by said first and second sections, said planar plate member being a part of said strikeoff member and vertically displaceable with said first and second sections during adjustment of the crown of said strike-off member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,995,450 3/35 French 94-45 2,187,080 1/40 Heltzel 94-45 2,235,105 3/41 H eltzel 94-45 2,299,700 10/ 42 Millik-in et al. 94-45 ,2,511,589 6/50 Jaeger 94-45 2,890,632 6/59 Madison et al. 94-46 2,914,994 12/59 Pollitz 94-45 JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SCREED COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION FIRST AND SECOND HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED AND VERTICALLY DISPLACEABLE ELONGATED SECTIONS ARRANGED END-TO-END TO FORM AN ELONGATED STRIKE-OFF MEMBER, HINGE MEANS CONNECTING THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS FOR JOINT MOVEMENT AND FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN, AN ELONGATED RIGID MEMBER FIXEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST SECTION AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID STRIKE-OFF MEMBER ACROSS THE JUNCTURE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS AND TERMINATING ADJACENT TO AND FREE FROM SAID SECOND SECTION SO THAT SAID ELONGATED RIGID MEMBER IS MOVABLE WITH SAID FIRST SECTION AND WITH RESPECT TO SAID SECOND SECTION, AND MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ELONGATED RIGID MEMBER AND SUPPORTED ON SAID SECOND SECTION FOR MOVEMENT WITH AND FOR SELECTIVE MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID SECOND SECTION TO RAISE AND LOWER THE PORTION OF SAID ELONGATED RIGID MEMBER ADJACENT SAID SECOND SECTION AND CORRESPONDINGLY VERTICALLY DISPLACE AND VARY THE ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS TO ADJUST THE CROWN OF SAID STRIKE-OFF MEMBER. 